How to feed a newborn with breast milk? principles of successful breastfeeding. Pumping while breastfeeding

With the advent of the child into the world, every mother is faced with the question of the proper feeding of her baby. Proper feeding implies providing the body of the newborn with all the necessary nutrients for normal physical and neuropsychic development. Therefore, every mother should think about what kind of food she chooses for her child.

Why should you breastfeed?

The most useful and ideal nutrition for a newborn is breast milk, which ensures the best development of the baby. Nature has provided for the composition of breast milk, which is ideal for newborns, it contains proteins, they include essential amino acids, fats, carbohydrates, trace elements, vitamins contained in the right amount and easily absorbed by the baby's body. It also includes immune proteins and leukocytes, with the help of which the body's resistance to diseases increases, since infants have underdeveloped immunity.

Breast milk has an optimal temperature, sterility and is ready for use at any time, anywhere. Breastfeeding provides emotional contact between mother and child, the development of maternal instinct. When sucking on the breast, which has elasticity and softness, the child's bite is correctly formed. With problems that develop during the eruption of milk teeth, breast milk helps to relieve symptoms. It is also known that children who were breastfed at an older age are less prone to various diseases, compared with children who were fed artificially (infant formulas). Therefore, in order to achieve the best result in the development of the child, the development of immunity, it is necessary to use breastfeeding and for as long as possible, at least one year.

How to prepare breasts and nipples for breastfeeding?

Even during pregnancy, you should pay attention to the shape of the nipples, it depends on them how the baby will take the breast. Nipples are pronounced, flat or inverted. Pronounced nipples are the most comfortable for the baby at the moment of capturing the breast with the mouth, and flat and inverted are less comfortable. Recall that the child sucks the breast, not the nipple, but still with a comfortable nipple shape, the child takes the breast easier and with pleasure. Women with flat or inverted nipples should not be discouraged as all that is needed is a little nipple preparation before delivery.

Applying special silicone caps to the area of ​​the areola (peripapillary circle), which have a hole, the nipple is pulled into it. It is recommended to wear such caps 3-4 weeks before childbirth, and half an hour before each feeding in the first weeks of breastfeeding. If you still didn’t have time to prepare the nipples, it’s okay, using a breast pump after childbirth will solve this problem for you in a couple of weeks. For all breastfeeding mothers, it is recommended to wear special bras, they do not squeeze or press the enlarged breasts filled with milk, and also prevent harmful substances from clothing or the environment from entering the skin of the breast and nipples. In such bras, you can put special pads that collect leaking milk, preventing clothes from getting dirty.

It is also recommended to wear clothes for nursing mothers, they provide easy access to the breast. Be sure to wash your hands with soap before each feeding. The breast should be washed once a day, frequent washing of the breast a day leads to a violation of the natural microflora of the peripapillary region, and possible inflammatory processes. The chest is washed with warm water, without using soapy products (if you take a shower, then rinse with clean water), they are harmful to the health of your child.

What is the mechanism of milk formation, the composition of breast milk?

Breast milk is produced by the mammary gland, under the influence of oxytocin (a hormone that causes labor pains) and prolactin (a hormone whose concentration increases when a woman who has given birth sucks). Both hormones are produced by the pituitary gland (a gland located on the underside of the brain), and they influence the process of milk production. With an increase in the concentration of prolactin, milk production is stimulated by the cells of the mammary gland. Oxytocin promotes its expulsion by contracting the muscles that are around the milk-forming cells, further along the milky canals (ducts), the milk comes to the nipple, the woman feels this process as breast engorgement (milk rush). The rate of milk production depends on the degree of breast emptying. When the breast is filled with milk, its production decreases, and when it is empty, its production increases accordingly. Also, the increased formation of milk contributes to the frequent application of the child to the breast. Enhanced milk production is noted only in the first 3-4 months of breastfeeding, in subsequent months it decreases.

The composition of milk changes over time. At the birth of a child, “colostrum” is released for several days, it is thick and sticky, yellow in color, contains a large amount of immune proteins, they provide the development of immunity, for adaptation, the sterile body of a born baby, to the environment. Colostrum is secreted in drops, and compared to milk, it is fatty, so even a very small amount is enough to saturate the baby.
"Transitional milk" appears on the 4th day after childbirth, it becomes more liquid, but its value remains the same as that of colostrum.

Mature milk appears on the 3rd week after childbirth, when breastfeeding the baby, it is white, liquid in consistency, less fatty than colostrum, but fully meets the requirements of the baby's body. Almost 90% consists of water, so you should not give water to children, this only applies to children who are purely breastfed. The fat content of breast milk is approximately 3-4%, but this figure often changes.

At the beginning of feeding, the so-called foremilk (the first portion) is released, there are fewer of them in it, therefore it is less high-calorie. In hindmilk (subsequent portions), the amount of fat increases, such milk is more high-calorie, and the child is saturated faster. In the first months of breastfeeding, milk is richer in fats than in the following months (starting from 5-6 months). Protein in breast milk is approximately 1%. The composition of proteins includes essential amino acids, which are easily absorbed by the baby's body. Among the usual beks that are necessary for the development of the child, there are also immune proteins that contribute to the development of immunity. Carbohydrates contain approximately 7%, the main representative is lactose. Lactose regulates the intestinal microflora, the absorption of calcium by the body. Also in the composition of milk, leukocytes (white blood cells) are included, when they enter the intestines of a child with milk, they destroy harmful bacteria. Milk also contains vitamins, various microelements involved in the complete satisfaction of the child's body.

How can you tell if your baby is getting enough milk?

A breastfed baby should be breastfed at will during the day and at least 3 times at night, averaging 10-12 times a day. Feeding on demand - this means that at the first sign of restlessness of the baby, it must be applied to the breast. In order for the child to be satiated, it must be properly attached to the breast, it must suck rhythmically for about 5-20 minutes, swallowing movements should be heard during sucking (swallowing milk), a well-fed child may fall asleep under the breast, after feeding the breast should become soft. Signs of hunger an infant: opens its mouth wide, turns its head in different directions (looking for a nipple), whimpers, sucks a fist.

A child suckles at the breast not only to quench thirst or hunger, but also to calm down, comfort, it is easier to fall asleep, recover, and get gassies out. Newborns are not able to regulate their bowels, so in order to push out gassies, they need a new portion of milk. Therefore, the younger the children, the more often they need to be applied to the chest. If the child is not naughty, gains weight well, neuropsychic development corresponds to age, this indicates that the body develops normally, it has enough food and enough milk, but this only applies to children under 6 months old. A child who is breastfed (up to 6 months), gain weight, must be at least 500 g per month, the upper limit of the increase for each child is individual. But if the process of eruption of milk teeth began earlier, then weight gain is possible and less than 500 g.

How to stimulate milk production?

• As mentioned above, the formation of milk occurs under the influence of two hormones, prolactin and oxytocin, which are produced in response to the suckling of the breast of a woman who has given birth. Therefore, in order to stimulate the production of milk, frequent stimulation of these two hormones is necessary, this implies frequent attachment of the child to the breast (necessarily night attachments), proper breast latch.
• Elimination of stress, tension, increased mental and physical tension, fatigue, these factors contribute to a decrease in the production of oxytocin and prolactin, and if they are not enough, the muscle cells will not be able to form and secrete milk, as a result of which the child will not be able to get the amount of milk he needs. Thus, all nursing mothers need: calmness, rest, calm environment, they should try to sleep well (daytime sleep is required, next to the child).
• Constant contact with the child (affects the production of hormones).
• A warm shower promotes better milk flow.
• Special lactogenic (better milk excretion) teas (sold in pharmacies) for nursing mothers.
• Lactic preparations, for example: Apilak.
• Walnut with honey also has a lactogenic effect, use honey with caution for mothers with children suffering from allergies.
• A nursing mother should follow a diet: eat on time, high-calorie foods and rich in vitamins (it doesn’t matter if your weight changes or not), drink more fluids, forget about any diets.
• Under no circumstances should you smoke or drink alcohol.

If there is insufficient milk production, it is urgent to seek help from a breastfeeding consultant.

How to apply the baby to the breast?

Proper attachment to the breast contributes to the sufficient supply of milk to the child, gaining weight, preventing the appearance of pain in the nipples and their cracks.

You can breastfeed while sitting or lying down, whichever is more comfortable for you. The baby should be turned with the whole body, and pressed against the mother. The baby's face should be close to the mother's chest. The baby's nose should be at the level of the nipple, tilting his head back a little, for free breathing through the nose, for convenience, a woman can hold her breasts at the base. The chin of the baby should touch the chest. The contact of the nipple with his lips will cause a search reflex and an opening of the mouth. The mouth should be wide open in order to capture the mother's breast with a full mouth, the lower lip should be turned outward, so the baby should capture almost the entire areola with his mouth. During attachment to the breast, he makes rhythmic deep sucking movements, while swallowing milk is heard.

Expression of milk - indications and methods

Indications for expressing milk:

• feeding a premature or sick baby (in the case when the baby cannot suckle);
• leave milk if the mother needs to leave the baby;
• in case of lactostasis (stagnation of milk), to prevent mastitis (inflammation of the breast);
• increased milk production (when the child has already eaten, and the breast is still full of milk).
• With mother's inverted nipples (temporary pumping).

Breast milk can be expressed in 3 ways:
Expressed milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours or in the freezer for up to 3 days.

Cracked nipples, what to do?

Cracked nipples are formed as a result of improper attachment of the child to the breast, or improper expression of milk, frequent washing of the breast and the use of soap (when taking a shower, it is recommended to rinse the breast with clean water). If an infection penetrates through a damaged nipple, then mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland) may develop, therefore, if there are cracks, their timely treatment is necessary.

With small cracks, breastfeeding is continued through special silicone pads; with pronounced and painful cracks, it is recommended to stop feeding the diseased breast, and the breast must be carefully expressed. For treatment, use: washing with a solution of furacilin, Bepanten ointment, Panthenol spray, 5% Synthomycin ointment, washing with 2% Chlorphyllipt solution, celandine juice and others. After each feeding, it is necessary to dry the nipple, treat it with one of the above means, cover the nipple with a sterile gauze pad.

Diet and hygiene of a nursing mother

A nursing mother should observe body hygiene (take a shower every day, rinsing her breasts with clean water), wear clean underwear, wash hands with soap before each feeding. Before each feeding, it is necessary to express a few drops of milk, to remove germs that could get from clothes.

A woman who is breastfeeding should not smoke, drink alcohol, drugs, strong tea, coffee, and, if possible, medicines.

Nursing mothers are recommended to take frequent walks with the baby in the fresh air, frequent rest and daytime sleep.
Observe the diet, exclude all diets, drink plenty of water. The diet should include foods rich in vitamins (vegetables and fruits), iron (found in meat, it is better to eat veal), foods rich in calcium (dairy products), rich in phosphorus (fish). With caution, use red vegetables and fruits (tomatoes, strawberries and others), eggs, as they can cause allergies in a child. Exclude citrus fruits from the diet, they also cause allergies. Products containing vegetable fiber (peas, beans) should also be excluded, as they lead to bloating in the baby. Garlic, onions, spices can spoil the taste of milk.

For the first six months of a newborn baby's life, mother's milk is the most complete food. In order for this period to be comfortable for the mother, and for the baby to bring only benefits, every inexperienced mother should know the basic and most important rules of breastfeeding.

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Attaching the baby to the breast. Important points:

Features of modern breastfeeding

1. One of the principles is free and unlimited feeding at the first request of the baby. Unlike the old methods, this method has a positive effect on the psycho-emotional state of the child and. It is advisable to breastfeed in any restless condition of the baby, without waiting for him to cry. If a baby requires 10-16 feedings in the first months, this is normal!
2. Up to six months, the baby needs night feedings, as they bring the greatest benefit to the child, and the mother develops stable lactation.
3. The duration of sucking depends only on the child. The last milk in the breast is the fattest and healthiest, so it is recommended to let the baby suck out one mammary gland to the very end. The second should be offered only at the next feeding. An exception can be only in case of a lack of mother's milk in one breast for complete saturation.
4. An infant up to six months can only get by with breast milk without the introduction of additional nutrition. ()
5. The best option for the full development of the child, strengthening the immune system and protecting against viruses is breastfeeding up to one and a half to two years.

When breastfeeding, do not:

1. Frequent washing of the mammary glands, as frequent washing removes the protective fatty layer from the nipples. The lack of a protective film leads to painful cracks in the nipples and areola. It is enough to take a shower once or twice a day.
2. Giving your baby water – Excess water can reduce appetite and increase flatulence in the baby's digestive system. A teaspoon of water per day can be given only if the child has constipation from mother's full-fat milk.
3. Up to six months, use pacifiers and drink from a bottle. If the baby does not have enough mother's milk, then supplementary feeding should be given with a spoon or pipette. A baby may confuse suckling with a nipple (it is more difficult to suck milk from a breast than from a bottle), and improper sucking can lead to cracked nipples. In addition, the child may completely refuse breast milk.
4. After each feeding, resort to decanting the remaining milk. The exception is congestion in the chest, engorgement or forced separation of the mother from the baby.
5. Weigh the child frequently. It is enough to control the weight once every one to two weeks. Frequent weighing can unnerve the mother and encourage unnecessary supplementation.
6. Give the baby sweet tea. Sweet can harm future teeth, and tea can contribute to iron deficiency anemia.

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Breastfeeding is an individual natural process. All children, like mothers, are different. Only with the help of her own experience, any mother herself will be able to establish the rules for feeding a baby, based on the characteristics of her baby and following the recommendations of specialists and mothers who have fed more than one child.

Breastfeeding is the best option for feeding newborns. With breast milk, the child receives all the microelements and vitamins necessary for his further development and growth. It is this method of feeding that is the safest, most convenient and economical.

Breastfeeding is an inherently natural process, which in most cases should proceed without problems and bring joy to mother and baby. It has long been noted that breastfeeding soothes the baby, gives him a sense of security and a sense of closeness with the most important person - mom. But not all mothers manage to easily and quickly establish proper breastfeeding. We hope that the tips and recommendations below will help women in this important matter.

#1: Early Breastfeeding: Making Contact with Your Baby

Experts have found that the sooner the baby is attached to the breast, the faster breastfeeding will be established. It is recommended to apply the newborn to the mother's breast for the first time no later than 1 hour after birth., therefore, in many maternity hospitals, they practice applying the baby in the first minutes after birth. It is very important for the baby to get colostrum, which appears in the mother immediately after childbirth and is useful in its properties.

Early attachment contributes not only to successful lactation, but also to the establishment of the first contact between mother and child. "skin to skin". This is their first meeting, direct contact, touch. For a newborn, it is especially important to feel the closeness of the mother, to hear her heartbeat. Plus, the first application contributes to a faster discharge of the placenta in parturient women, and contributes to the formation of intestinal microflora and immunity in a newborn baby.

Pediatrician, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor Surovtseva Alla Pavlovna talks about the first application:

#2: Proper Latching Is the Basis for Successful Feeding

During the first feeding, it is important that the baby takes the breast correctly. At the same time, doctors should help the newly-made mother and check the baby's sucking reflex.

In the event that the newborn was attached to the breast incorrectly, the mother will subsequently have to face a number of troubles:

• cracks in the nipples;
• mastitis and lactostasis;
• poor outflow of milk;
• refusal of the child from the breast.

To avoid such problems, a woman in labor should consult with doctors and during each feeding, monitor the correct attachment of the baby to the breast.

1. Firstly, a woman should choose a position that is comfortable for herself and the newborn. Feeding in a sitting position or lying on its side is considered optimal. These positions help create a comfortable environment for feeding and ensure a good flow of milk. (See article about all).
2. Secondly, you need to follow how the baby captures the chest. It is considered correct to capture not only the nipple, but also the area around it.
3. Thirdly, the mother should hold the breast and slightly direct it to the mouth of the baby.

Initially, correct application will save a woman from cracks and abrasions of the nipples, lactostasis. The baby, with proper attachment, will actively suck and gorge. If the attachment goes wrong, the mother will experience inconvenience and even pain during feeding, it will also be uncomfortable and difficult for the baby to suckle, and he may completely refuse breastfeeding.

In the case when the newborn does not grasp the breast correctly, you need to interrupt the feeding and offer him the breast again, substituting it for the correct capture. Don't be afraid or insecure. The baby will calmly accept this situation and will soon understand how to breastfeed.

But the uncertainty of the mother, in addition to all sorts of troubles, can also turn into retraining the child in the correct grip, which will take about 7-10 days. In some cases, it is improper attachment to the breast that is the primary reason for the refusal of a newborn from breastfeeding.

How to properly attach a baby to the breast, tells and shows a specialist in breastfeeding and child care Natalya Kudryashova:

#3: Feeding on demand is an important condition for breastfeeding

A few years ago, feeding by the hour was considered correct. In accordance with this, the child should be fed at regular intervals (usually every 3 hours).

Nowadays, the rules of breastfeeding have changed somewhat. Modern experts believe that feeding on demand is necessary for successful lactation and the absence of problems.

Each newborn needs an individual feeding schedule. In this regard, it is important to listen to the needs of the child and meet them on demand. Offer your baby the breast whenever he is naughty, whimpering, or opens his mouth in search of a source of milk. Even if the previous feeding was an hour ago. In addition, frequent application contributes to an increase in the amount of milk and better lactation.

Do not be afraid that when feeding on demand, the child will overeat. First, the baby will not eat more than he needs. Secondly, his stomach is adapted to the rapid absorption of breast milk. After some time, the child will form his own schedule, which will be optimally suited to his needs.

Feeding on demand favors the creation of psycho-emotional comfort of the newborn. The baby feels that his needs are met in a timely manner, which means that he is important and needed, he is loved. Such children grow up more balanced, calm and confident compared to those who were fed on time.

#4: Duration of Feeding: How Long Should Baby Breastfeed

The duration of feeding depends on several factors:

• the sucking reflex of the baby and the efforts that he makes;
• correct attachment to the chest;
• satiety of the child.

On average, the feeding process lasts 20-30 minutes. However, there is no need to limit feeding to strict time frames. The baby will move away from the breast when it is full. The duration of feeding is due to the fact that at the beginning of feeding, the child receives early milk rich in water, minerals and carbohydrates (i.e., the baby drinks), and after 3-6 minutes of sucking it reaches hind milk, which is rich in fats and proteins. those. starts eating well.

In some cases, the baby may breastfeed not only because of the feeling of hunger, but also in order to calm down, feel safe, being next to the mother. Don't deprive your child of this opportunity. In this way, he seeks contact with his mother, keeps in touch with her. This explains the peaceful sleep of newborns after breastfeeding: having calmed down and having eaten, the children fall asleep sweetly, feeling completely safe.

As the baby grows older, he will learn to satisfy his need for saturation more quickly and will find other ways to establish contact with his mother. This means that the feeding time will be significantly reduced. But in the first months, be sure to give the newborn the opportunity to be at the breast for as long as he wants.

See how much to breastfeed by time:

No. 5: Alternate application

The correctness of breastfeeding largely consists of alternately applying the baby to the breast. During one feeding, the mother should offer the baby only one breast, during the next feeding - the other. This is due not only to the gradual accumulation of milk in the mammary glands, but also to its composition.

So, for several minutes of suckling, the baby absorbs early milk, which satisfies his need for fluid. This is liquid milk, which contains water, carbohydrates, minerals. Only after 3-6 minutes does late milk begin to stand out. It is thicker, rich in healthy fats and nutrients. If a woman changes her breast during one feeding, the child may not receive late milk, which is valuable in its composition. As a result, the newborn may remain hungry and receive less necessary trace elements.

In addition, alternate application is also useful for the mother: excess milk will not linger in her breast, and the mammary glands quickly adapt to the established regimen.

When the baby grows up (5-6 months), he may not have enough milk from one breast. Only in this case, you can supplement it with a second breast.

#6: Feed at night

At night, it is also necessary to feed the newborn on demand. This will provide peace of mind for both the child and the parents. Night feedings help maintain lactation and produce enough milk. At first, the baby may need 2-3 applications at night.

For the convenience of feeding a child at night, mothers often resort to co-sleeping. This allows you to feel the baby, quickly respond to his needs, offer him a breast without getting out of bed.

But if the mother decides to sleep with the baby, she should be especially careful and careful not to crush him during sleep. You also need to wake up for night feeding, and not feed the baby "through sleep."

Young parents consider the best option when the baby's crib is moved close to their bed, and one side of it is open. This allows the baby to occupy a separate place, but be in close proximity to the parents. And the mother can at any time move the newborn to her and feed him.

See Lactation Consultant, talks about night feedings:

Thus, to properly organize breastfeeding is a process that does not require certain efforts and special skills. If a woman encounters any difficulties, she should consult with specialists. Do not forget that breastfeeding takes time. But loving mothers will easily endure all the troubles associated with the period of breastfeeding, because the benefits of breast milk for a newborn are priceless. No expensive formula contains as many nutrients as breast milk. Only breast milk acts as a natural defense of the newborn against bacteria and contributes to the formation of immunity.

In addition, breastfeeding is not only a natural and necessary process, but also an important moment in establishing emotional contact between mother and child.

More on the topic (posts from this category)

Breastfeeding is a whole science that young mothers have to master in a matter of days. What the baby will eat in the coming year depends on the quality of the learned material. Properly established breastfeeding (HB) will allow the child to receive valuable and incredibly healthy breast milk, relieve mom from stagnation, lactostasis and mastitis, and make the process of motherhood pleasant and calm. If you do not understand the principles of breastfeeding from the very beginning, this can result in neurosis, poor sleep, problems with the mammary gland, and, as a result, artificial feeding. Which, by the way, entails a lot of questions, because not every mixture is suitable for a child, you need to select the right product in an experimental way, which leads to additional health problems and financial costs. That is why it is necessary from the very beginning of motherhood to tune in to breastfeeding, talk with doctors, experienced friends, invite a breastfeeding consultant. All of them will help to establish this natural process, and then feeding will bring pleasure to you and your child.

In the process of establishing breastfeeding, the issue of feeding time is very acute. Regarding this, there are two opinions - to feed the child on demand or by the hour. A couple of decades ago, our mothers fed us in maternity hospitals strictly at certain hours, at other times the child was not even next to her mother. Today, the World Health Organization recommends feeding a child on demand - that is, when he wants it. Each of the feeding methods has its advantages and disadvantages, and it is up to you what you choose for your baby.

Feeding on demand

This is the most correct, healthy and natural way of feeding. Even animals feed their young when the kids want it. This is especially important in the first days after childbirth - when only colostrum is released from the breast. Do not worry - colostrum is enough for the child, it performs an important function - populates the intestines of the crumbs with beneficial bacteria, starts digestion. Already 3-5 days after birth, full-fledged breast milk comes. In the first month, it is very important to feed the baby on demand, that is, when the baby cries. After all, it is during this period that the body is rebuilt, determines how much milk the child needs. Here are some tips and tricks for feeding on demand.

It is necessary to give the baby a breast with any concern - this will not only saturate the baby, but also increase milk production, because the more the baby is applied to the breast, the more the breast will pour next time. Feeding on demand is the main way to increase your milk supply.

Breast for a child is not only food, but comfort, unity with the mother, protection. Feeding on demand allows you to have all these wonderful feelings any time your baby wants it, when he has a tummy ache, he is cold or just bored.

Feeding on demand will protect the mother from mastitis, because milk simply does not have time to stagnate in short periods of time.
It has been proven that a baby who receives a breast at any time suffers less from colic and gas, as he does not experience a strong feeling of hunger and does not overeat after long "hungry" intervals.

If you are breastfeeding your baby at any time it is necessary for him, it is better to practice co-sleeping.

Try to feed your baby from one breast at a time from start to finish. The fact is that the foremilk is more liquid, it is easier to suck it out, for the baby it is a drink. But hindmilk, which is more difficult to suck out, more fatty, is considered food.

A baby who is fed on demand does not develop bad habits such as thumb sucking, fist sucking, etc. If you always give your baby a breast, he does not get used to a dummy, the sucking reflex is completely satisfied.

Frequent feeding saves during the period of illness of the child. Firstly, it is the replenishment of fluid, which is so necessary in case of temperature or poisoning. Secondly, the baby calms down, more easily tolerates discomfort during teething and colic. Thirdly, breast milk contains immunoglobulins, which form the immunity of the crumbs and protect it from viruses.

Psychologists say that children who are fed on demand grow up more calm and self-confident. After all, they know from early childhood that their mother is always there and will come to the rescue if necessary, protect and reassure. And this is very important for the development of the future personality.

Feeding by the hour

This method involves a strict feeding regime - after a certain period of time. Remember Soviet times - at night, children were not fed from the hospital, the last feeding was at 12:00, and the first in the morning at 6:00. That is, newborn children had a huge period of time without food - 6 hours. What are the features and benefits of feeding by the hour, let's try to figure it out.

Feeding by the hour can only be done in the second or third month of a child's life, when lactation improves. If you feed your baby on a schedule from birth, with long periods without suckling, the amount of milk can be drastically reduced as unnecessary. If you don't want to breastfeed right now, it's best to express your milk so you don't lose it.

Feeding by the clock allows the mother to sleep at night. This is a very dubious plus, because the stimulation of lactation is especially intense in the morning from 3 to 8 in the morning. If at this time the breast is not sucked, the hormone oxytocin is not produced, there will be less and less milk each time.

Babies of the first months of life need to be fed every 2-2.5 hours, no more. The stomach of a child of this age is very small, the baby should eat often. With age, this interval can be increased to 3-4 hours.

Feeding by the hour makes mom's life more understandable and simple, as mom can plan her day, leave things for a certain time, and even leave the house if someone looks after the baby.

Some mothers choose a cross between feeding by the clock and feeding on demand. If you listen to your baby's body, you will notice that the child asks for food at approximately equal intervals of time, you can focus on this time and life will obey a certain regimen.

But remember that in some cases, feeding by the hour is strictly contraindicated. Firstly, these are the first 2-3 weeks of a baby's life. Secondly, a woman develops a lactation crisis every 2-3 months, when there is not enough milk, because the baby is growing rapidly. At these moments, you need to give the baby a breast as often as possible in order to "increase" the amount of milk produced. Thirdly, you need to abandon the regimen if you see that the child really wants to eat. If the baby is crying, you took him in your arms, shook him, and the child is looking for the chest with his mouth and does not stop crying - most likely, he is hungry. So, in the past feeding, the baby didn’t eat or burped, in general, you need to discard all the rules and feed the baby again.

Do I need to wake my baby up for feeding?

Many mothers are wondering if it is worth feeding the baby if he sleeps for a long time, does not wake up and does not ask for a breast? A healthy body of a newborn baby cannot sleep for more than five hours in a row without food, doctors say. Therefore, a child who sleeps longer than the specified time without waking up is very rare. This does not apply to artificial ones - a hearty mixture allows you to stay without food much longer than breast milk.

To answer a disturbing question, you need to know how much a child sleeps. If the baby sleeps for more than five hours, you should definitely wake him up - slowly stir him up with strokes and touches. If the baby is underweight or premature, it is necessary to wake him up, no more than three hours later. Such children need enhanced nutrition in order to quickly get stronger and gain weight, a long sleep may be due to weakness, it is impossible not to feed such children. It is also necessary to wake the baby for feeding if a long sleep was caused by taking certain drugs.

Feeding is a completely understandable and intuitive process. A loving and caring mother, after a few days of life, the crumbs can understand that the child is crying precisely from hunger. Love your baby, feed him when he wants to, do not wait for artificial periods of time. And then the child will grow and develop well.

Video: How often should you breastfeed your baby?

Every mother wants her child to grow up healthy and not get sick. Everyone knows that the foundation for the further development of the baby is laid in infancy. The currently popular formulas for feeding will not fully replace mother's milk. Mother's milk is ideal for feeding a newborn. In addition, breastfeeding promotes a close bond between mother and child.

But not every woman knows how to breastfeed. This article will help young mothers in this difficult matter.

How to properly breastfeed your baby

Usually, how to properly breastfeed a newborn is explained to women in labor even in the hospital. But not all maternity hospitals can boast of competent specialists in this matter. Sometimes mothers have to learn to put the baby to the breast on their own. Below are a few rules for the correct attachment of the child to the breast.

Basic positions for breastfeeding

In a sitting position

This is the most common posture.. Most moms find it the most comfortable. It will suit you if the baby quickly eats up, otherwise mommy's hands will get tired at first. But not everyone knows how to breastfeed while sitting.

Correct posture: the baby's head lies on the mother's forearm. The baby's tummy is in contact with the breastfeeding belly. The legs are extended. If the baby pulls the nipple down, then you are holding the baby too low.

Lying down

Suitable for mothers whose babies eat slowly and immediately fall asleep after breastfeeding. The correct posture for feeding while lying down looks like this: mommy lies on her side (it is desirable to have support behind her back). A pillow is placed under the head. The woman is completely relaxed. The baby lies on its side, opposite the mother, close enough to properly grasp the nipple. He is pressed against his mother's tummy. She supports the child under the shoulder blades.

How often to change breasts while breastfeeding?

It depends on the physiology of the mother. If the baby ate milk from one breast, then there is no need to change it.

Few people know that milk in the breast is anterior and posterior. The anterior is rich in proteins and minerals. In the back are the main nutrients and enzymes necessary to strengthen the immune system. For this reason, no need to alternate breasts during feeding if the milk in one is enough for a full feeding.

Before feeding a child with a second breast, you need to make sure that he is really hungry. Overeating is dangerous for a fragile stomach.

Feeding time

It varies from ten to forty minutes.. Such a large run-up is explained by the individuality of each child. If the baby is active and sucks quickly, then breastfeeding can take about fifteen minutes. Premature and inactive babies usually suck much more slowly.

If the newborn fell asleep during feeding, then you can wake him up by lightly patting his cheek.

A separate case when children fall asleep, having already eaten. In this case, you need to carefully pull the chest out of the child's mouth (for this, the little finger is carefully inserted into the corner of the baby's mouth). After this, the baby can be put to bed.

There is a lot of controversy among experts about whether At what age should a baby be weaned from the breast?. Someone already in the first months of life slowly accustoms the baby to mixtures, and someone feeds breast milk up to four years.

But usually, mixtures are introduced into the baby's diet after a year.

Problems of nursing mothers and ways to solve them

cracks.

If the mother has not learned how to properly attach the baby to the breast, then cracks may appear on her nipples. They may become inflamed. In this case, an urgent visit to the doctor is necessary. Until the inflammation goes away, you should not feed the baby. The infection can be transmitted to him.

Washing your breasts too often can also cause cracks. Soap is known to dry out the skin. This causes her to crack. Therefore, you need to wash your chest no more often than your body.

In no case do not listen to grandmothers who will strongly recommend you lubricate the inflamed cracks with green. This method of fighting inflammation has long been outdated. Yes, Zelenka really disinfects and prevents inflammation. But it leads to irritation of the delicate skin of the nipples, and as a result, to the appearance of new cracks.

The now popular disposable breast pads also cause cracking. When a pad is soaked in milk, it becomes an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.

Involuntary leakage of milk.

Women in labor usually face this problem in the first months of motherhood. Further milk production usually corresponds to the needs of the child.

Why you should not use disposable breast pads, described above.

The best solution in such cases are silicone pads. They can be used without restrictions. But they need to be washed regularly and scalded with boiling water, so as not to make them a breeding ground for bacteria.

If during feeding with one breast, milk flows out of the other breast, then try to pinch the nipple for about ten seconds.

While some mothers suffer from an excess of milk, others suffer from a lack of it. Here are some ways to deal with this problem.

night feeding

It is necessary in order to maintain the desired level of breast milk for the child. Besides night milk is more satisfying than day milk.

A newborn baby can eat up to eight times a night. The older the child, the less he needs feeding at night. By the age of one, babies already refuse nightly breastfeeding and allow their parents to get at least a little sleep.

You don't have to wake up your baby to feed him. The baby will wake up on its own when it feels hungry.

Also do not turn on the light during night feeding. This will help your child avoid sleep problems.

It is important to understand that in a newborn, the biological clock is not yet synchronized with what surrounds him. Artificial lighting at night can prevent a child from learning when it is day and when it is night.

If light is still needed, then you need to use a night light with soft light.

Expression of milk

Why Express Milk

Below are basic principles of correct pumping.

1. If pumping is needed to reduce breast hardening, then it is performed every two hours. You need to express as much as necessary in order to soften the chest. In order not to injure the mammary gland, pumping should last no more than twenty minutes.
2. If you are pumping to increase lactation, then this is done once or twice in between feeding the baby.
3. Pumping should not cause discomfort. If you feel pain, then something is going wrong.
4. Don't try to do it too fast. This can lead to chest injury.

Breastfeeding is associated with many difficulties and problems. But for the sake of the health and normal development of the child, it is worth suffering. Proper breastfeeding brings not only benefits, but also pleasure. In the future, the baby will delight you with excellent health and a smile - the best reward for a loving mother.